Iran Satellite Launches Reveal Efforts To Make Rockets Able To Hit Europe - Pompeo

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th January, 2019) Iran's failed attempt to place a satellite into orbit with a three stage rocket demonstrates the Islamic republic's intent to develop missiles able to reach as far as Europe, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.

"In defiance of the international community & UNSCR [UN Security Council Resolution], Iran's regime fired off a space launch vehicle today," Pompeo said via Twitter on Tuesday. "The launch yet again shows that Iran is pursuing enhanced missile capabilities that threaten Europe and the middle East."

Earlier in the day, Iran attempted to launch a satellite into orbit but the third stage of the rocket failed to provide enough speed to reach orbit, Iranian Information and Communications Technology Minister Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi said.

Iran plans a second satellite launch in the coming days in what the nation claims is a space exploration program, while claiming that rocket launches do not violate the Security Council resolution.

UN Security Council Resolution 2231 deals almost exclusively with Iran's effort to make nuclear weapons with barely a mention of missiles.